Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-05-12
THE HEIR OF GERMANY.

Chivslrous Bravery tho Most Promi.sas
Charsoterlatic OF "Unser Fritz"
On the 22d of March the Emperor
William. Of Germany, was ninety wears
of age. Although he is still hale and
sturdy, for man of such advanced
age, it can not be anticipated that
many more years are in store for him.
In view of this fact, it is interesting to
note what sort of sovereign Germany
will have as the great Kaiser's success
or. The heir apparent to the German
throne is. indeed, no ordinary man. By
his career, as well as by his rank, he
holds a place of high renown in Eu-
rope. The next German Emperor will
worthily sustain the fame of his ances-
tors for warlike tastes and military he
rOism.
Frederick William, the Crown Prince.
has already passed beyond the line of
middle age, for he is now in his fifty
sixth year. Like his father, he was
only fifty-six years Of age when he
dOnned the uniform of an officer in
the Prussian army. The profession of
arms has absorbed him ever since. He
has worked his way up. by able and
valiant service, from the lowest to the
highest military grade, and is now a
Field-Marshal. The most notable mil
itary triumphs of the Crown Prince
were won in the war between Prussia
and Austria in 1866, and in that be-
tween the German States and France
in 1901. He played conspicuous
and brilliant part in the battle of Sa-
dOwa, which resulted in the overwhelm-
ing defeat of the Austrians; and he led
the South German forces on the fields
of Alsace and Lorraine in the brief
struggle which ended in the overthrow
of the Second French Empire.
His chivalrous bravery. his calm
ness in the presence of the most APP
palling dangers of the field. his genial
ways and CHEEKY good-nature, his fine,
stalwart, soldierly frame and bearing,
made him the idol of his troops, and
he conquered the hearts of all Ger
mans. rs we'll as the legions of France,
by his conduct in that terrible conflict.
His popularity is attested by the affec-
tionate name bestowed upon him by
his soldiers: "Unser Fritz" or ''Our
Frederick. No doubt a part of this
popularity was due to his military
ability, for in that sharp campaign he
won the name of being one of the
most brilliant Generals of the nine
tcenth century, and shared with his
cousin. Prince Frederick Charles, the
highest honors of the campaign.
Devoted by genius and taste to the
military profession, the Crown Prince
has held aloof from the political af-
fairs of his sire's empire. The old En-
pcrOr has borne alone the duties and
responsibilities of power. A few years
ago, it is true. during IN illness of his
father, he conducted the affairs OF the
realm rs Regent. But he scrupulously
followed the rule to act as he thought
the Emperor would have acted under
the circumstances.
1t is, indeed, a rule in the family of
Hohenzollern that the heir shall not be
active in the government. When Fred
erick the Great was the heir, he nearly
came to the block for interfering in
the political affairs of his fierce fathers
kingdom. 1t is therefore not possible
to foresee what sort of ruler Fred
erick William will make when he sue
ceeds to the throne of Germany; yet
the interests of the whole European
world are involved in the qualities
which he may one day display as
sovereign.
The Crown Prince married the Prin-
cess Victoria, the oldest child of the
Queen of England, and he has large
family of children and grandchildren.
In person he is tall. splendidly built,
with long. tawny beard, has a noble,
military bearing, and is vigorous in
every movement. He certainly looks
''every inch king" He is noted for
thoroughly German traits, being fond
of good company and of public amuse-
ments, and full Of hearty. bluff good
humor. Next to his aged father, in
deed. he is the most popular man in
Germany, and will undoubtedly be
welcomed to the throne with the
cordial reclamation of his subjects
-IoutA's Companion.